Good morning, Etobicoke! I’m Bri, and November has officially moved in. The Halloween candy is down to the stuff nobody wanted, it’s dark by five, and at least one house on your street already has its Christmas lights up. Let’s get into this week’s news.
In this week’s newsletter:
📬 Return To Sender: door-to-door mail ends in north Etobicoke this month
🎡 Ride Again: Fantasy Fair reopens with a party Saturday
🚋 Back On Track: streetcars are rolling into Long Branch again
Plus: Bloor’s bike lanes are officially gone, where to mark Remembrance Day, a holiday craft sale or two and how to earn a free coffee ☕
THE DIGEST
📬 Canada Post Stops Knocking In North Etobicoke 📬
Your letter carrier’s days are numbered, north Etobicoke. Starting November 16, Canada Post ends door-to-door delivery for postal codes starting with M9V and M9W, about 18,000 addresses, and moves everyone to community mailboxes. Seniors and people with disabilities can apply for a delivery accommodation. The rest of Etobicoke gets a reprieve: most M8 and M9 codes switch in 2029 or 2030.
🎡 Fantasy Fair Is Back, With Cake 🎡
Woodbine Mall’s indoor amusement park reopened Monday after a temporary closure, and it’s throwing itself a party. The grand reopening runs Saturday, November 7, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with rides, cake and entertainment. Entry and parking are free; ride tickets are in person only. The lone holdout: the Fantasy Flight balloon ride, still down for maintenance. Why it closed? Nobody’s saying.
🚋 Streetcars Are Back In Long Branch 🚋
Retire the replacement buses. The TTC wrapped its summer-long track renewal at Long Branch Loop, and as of November 1 the 501 Queen and 507 Long Branch streetcars are rolling all the way west again. The fine print: the 508 Lake Shore is off weekdays while the City does watermain work on King Street West. Use the 501, 504 or 507 instead. Win some, lose one.
📌 Quick Hits
It’s official: the Bloor bike lanes between Clissold Road and Royal York are gone, with car lanes back in both directions. The province says it will publish the cost once the contracts close, and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria says the rest of Bloor, Yonge and University are next. On a more serious note, a man in his 50s was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle near Humberline Drive and Humberwood Boulevard Wednesday night. Police are investigating.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 6 – In Flanders’ Fields: A Remembrance Day Concert
Humber Valley United Church | 76 Anglesey Blvd.
Tomorrow night. The Great Lakes Philharmonic and soprano Amélie Halary play Britten, Rutter, Holst and Barber’s Adagio for Strings. About an hour, no intermission, and with Friday’s rain in the forecast, a church pew sounds pretty good. 🎻🕊️ 🕢 7:30 p.m. | 🎟️ $35Nov. 6-7 – Giant Rummage Sale
Islington United Church | 25 Burnhamthorpe Rd.
It’s finally here. Housewares, small appliances, clothing, books, toys, antiques, Christmas decor and food. Bring bags and a loose definition of “need.” 🛍️ 🕒 Fri. 3 to 8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. to noon | Free entryNov. 8 – Rectory Recital Series: Classical Guitar
St. Philip’s Anglican Church | 25 St. Phillips Rd.
James Baker and Carmine Coccimiglio play an hour-long recital, then stay for a glass of wine with the audience. A very civilized Sunday afternoon. Details here. 🎸🍷 🕓 4 p.m. | Admission by donationThrough Nov. 12 – 1001 Stories: Faith and Home
Cloverdale Common | Cloverdale Mall, 250 The East Mall
Final week for Arts Etobicoke’s Islamic Heritage Month exhibition. Painting, calligraphy, textiles and photography, steps from your Cloverdale errands. 🎨🖼️ | FreeNov. 20 – Etobicoke Philharmonic: Fiesta Sinfónica
Martingrove Collegiate Institute | 50 Winterton Dr.
Márquez’s Danzón No. 2, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol and Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with guitarist Daniel Ramjattan, plus young players from the Etobicoke Suzuki School. Consider it a mid-November vacation. 🎻💃 🕢 7:30 p.m. | 🎟️ Tickets on EventbriteNov. 21 – Handmade Art & Fine Craft Sale
Neilson Park Creative Centre | 56 Neilson Dr.
Local artists and makers under one roof. Get a jump on the holiday list before December eats every weekend you have. 🎨🎁 🕙 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Free admission and parking
Good to Know
Remembrance Day is Wednesday. The City’s Etobicoke ceremony is at the Etobicoke Civic Centre Cenotaph, 299 The West Mall. Arrive by 10:45 a.m. for the moment of silence at 11. The forecast says 9°C with a mix of sun and cloud, so dress for standing still. 🕊️
Weather
Thu, Nov 5: High 16°C, Low 11°C 🌦️
Fri, Nov 6: High 13°C, Low 5°C 🌧️
Sat, Nov 7: High 10°C, Low 5°C ☁️
Sun, Nov 8: High 9°C, Low 4°C ☁️
Mon, Nov 9: High 10°C, Low 6°C 🌤️
Tue, Nov 10: High 11°C, Low 4°C 🌤️
Wed, Nov 11: High 9°C, Low TBD 🌤️
Fun & Games
🧩 Emoji Decoder: Etobicoke Edition
Can you name these four Etobicoke spots?
👑🛣️
📏🌿
6️⃣📍
💯🌳
➡️ Think you got all four? Hit reply and tell us!
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Answers: 1) The Kingsway 2) Long Branch 3) Six Points 4) Centennial Park (100 years, get it?)
Thanks for reading! See you next week for more of what’s happening in Etobicoke.
-Bri
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